Extracted from The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
Tuesday, January 6, 2004

BATES, JAMES RUSSELL

James Russell Bates, 55, of the Enon community, died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, at his residence.

He was born May 26, 1948. He was the son of James Marion and Kathleen Smith Bates of the Enon community. He formerly owned Modern Bonney Printing in McComb, Miss., The Print Shop in Jayess, Miss., and Bates Barbeque in Jayess and McComb. He was a former city selectman for the city of McComb, having served two terms, and served as fire commissioner. He served in the Mississippi National Guard for eight years and was a graduate of Salem High School. He was a member of Enon Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Elaine Tate Bates; and his mother-in-law, Elaine Story Tate. He is survived by his parents; a son, Jamie Bates of Gulfport, Miss.; a daughter, Dana Bates of the Enon community; two brothers, Charlie Bates of Keokuk, Iowa, and Eddie Bates and his wife, Peggy, of Citronelle, Ala.; a sister, Norine Bates Langston and her husband, Dave, of Cheyenne, Wyo.; his father-in-law, Alton Tate Sr. of Zachary; a sister-in-law, Anita LeBlanc and her husband, John, of Zachary; a brother-in-law, Alton Tate Jr. of Walker; a nephew, Brandon Bates of Atoka, Okla.; and four nieces, Jennifer and Kerry LeBlanc, both of Zachary, and Brooke Crawford and Lauren Bates, both of Citronelle.

Visitation at Catchings Funeral Home in McComb from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Visitation at Enon Baptist Church from 2 p.m. until services at 3 p.m. Sunday, with the Rev. Eddie Bates and the Rev. Barry Cutrer officiating. Burial in Enon Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.